U.S. says integrity, self-rule compatible in Garabagh settlement
US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg has said it is
possible to combine the principles of territorial integrity and the
right of nations to self-determination in settling the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh.
"I am sure, this is possible," Steinberg told Armenia’s public TV channel.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law. Baku says the occupied districts must be freed and Azerbaijani refugees displaced during the armed conflict in the early 1990s returned home, and only after that could the status of Upper Garabagh be determined within Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
Asked when Garabagh Armenians will possibly join peace talks, Steinberg said: "We currently have the right time frame. I also think that the Minsk process [negotiations brokered by the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France], is effective, and it would be right to proceed along that path for now."
The State Department official noted that Washington attaches great importance to Garabagh peace talks.
"I believe progress in such complicated issues as Upper Garabagh may promote the well-being of all nations in the region. Therefore, the U.S., as a Minsk Group co-chair, remains committed to its obligation of assisting the sides in seeking solutions.
"It is not easy. We are aware that this is a complicated process but are confident that all sides involved are looking to find a solution, and we are here to help," Steinberg said.
According to him, it is currently hard to say whether or not a settlement to the long-standing conflict is near. Steinberg added that pivotal issues remain outstanding, in particular, those pertaining both to confidence-building between the conflicting sides and the format of the further peace process.*
"I am sure, this is possible," Steinberg told Armenia’s public TV channel.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law. Baku says the occupied districts must be freed and Azerbaijani refugees displaced during the armed conflict in the early 1990s returned home, and only after that could the status of Upper Garabagh be determined within Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
Asked when Garabagh Armenians will possibly join peace talks, Steinberg said: "We currently have the right time frame. I also think that the Minsk process [negotiations brokered by the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France], is effective, and it would be right to proceed along that path for now."
The State Department official noted that Washington attaches great importance to Garabagh peace talks.
"I believe progress in such complicated issues as Upper Garabagh may promote the well-being of all nations in the region. Therefore, the U.S., as a Minsk Group co-chair, remains committed to its obligation of assisting the sides in seeking solutions.
"It is not easy. We are aware that this is a complicated process but are confident that all sides involved are looking to find a solution, and we are here to help," Steinberg said.
According to him, it is currently hard to say whether or not a settlement to the long-standing conflict is near. Steinberg added that pivotal issues remain outstanding, in particular, those pertaining both to confidence-building between the conflicting sides and the format of the further peace process.*
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